First things first, this show isn't for everyone. It is a deeply pensive romantic drama, set in Ireland, with all kinds of heartbreak and melancholy. But if you're into that sort of thing, or looking for something to watch with your significant other, I highly recommend giving it a shot, as it is also an extremely captivating and well made series, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. It premiered this past Wednesday, and I kept seeing all sorts of buzz for it online in the lead-up. I'm currently writing something with a somewhat similar dynamic, so after checking out the trailer, I decided to do a little research by watching the first couple of episodes, and now all of the sudden I'm eight episodes in and thinking this might one of the best series of the year so far. It's a twelve-episode season, but episodes are only a half-hour each, so it flies by. If anything, the two leads are incredible, and there's no way both aren't stars it the next few years...

Just finished all twelve episodes, and this show is absolutely incredible.

Again, it's so somber and raw, with a lot of super serious (and also very nude) love making. It's one of those shows where the leads are constantly on again/off again, to the point where you just want to scream at them to get over their sh/t and quit coming up with excuses not to be together. Yet... that's also what makes it so good. That, along with the stunning filmmaking, phenomenal performances (really, both leads should be nominated for Emmys this year), and the way the story is told over a period of a few years, which gives it such a deep, expansive feel.

Though, fair warning, this is the only season currently planned. It sounds like all involved want to do a follow up at some point, but there's talk of it not being for as long as another ten years or so. I have a feeling the show's popularity will garner a return sooner than that, but we'll see.

In the meantime, if this looks like it's something you might be into, I could not recommend it more.

Alright, I'll give it a shot this week... heard a lot of good things online.


Also, just finished Narcos: Mexico... Should I start Succession or Ozark next?

Nice.

And to answer your question...

SUCCESSION

I promise, without a shadow of a doubt, that you will love it. It might not be love at first site, but soon enough, you will fall head over heels for it. Trust me. It's the best show currently airing/in production, and I cannot wait for the reality in which you are finally acquainted with it. It's up there with Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, etc for me (though a different/funnier show than all of them).

I may or may not already be running this series back...

(Partly because it's been a better-than-expected help, research-wise, but also because it's just that good.)

Seems depressing...having been kicked to the curb recently, I think I'll rewatch all of cheers as my next binge...something happier...

Sorry to hear. Yeah, it can be pretty dour at times, and maybe not the best thing to watch in the wake of a breakup. But ultimately, I *could* see it being somewhat cathartic. It's at least not rip-your-heart-out sad just for the sake of being sad - there's a thematic purpose to it all - and it does reach some great highs. Still, I completely understand going the Cheers route for the time being.

Yes! I'm so glad that you loved it, and so well said.

I'm in the middle of my second watch in as many weeks, and it's somehow even better the second time. So many little things I'm catching now that I didn't before (especially in terms of the dialogue, since the Irish accents can be little hard to decipher at times). Same as you, I can't image another series this year topping it, and potentially not a movie either.

Also, I'm convinced more than ever that Paul Mescal is one of our next great stars. Very Michael Fassbender-esque, except more... empathic, if that's the right word. Dude is amazing. Daisy Edgar-Jones is fantastic as well, and will no doubt soar after this, but Mescal is the real revelation.

Thanks for the rec. I read the novel when it came out and didn't realize they made a show based on it. Will check it out tonight.

I enjoyed the book so hopefully I'll enjoy the show as well.

Rick Dalton said:

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I loved it so much that it's hard for me to believe that it's a TV series on Hulu. To me it's this uniquely intimate six-hour emotional epic made up of a dozen perfect little vignettes spread across the most formative years of their lives. I've never seen anything like it and I'll gladly put it up right up there with my most-cherished indie movies of all-time, which is the highest compliment that I can give it.

Empathic is a great way of putting it, Mescal was demonstrating a level of emotional intelligence that most actors never get to in a lifetime. There were scenes when Daisy Edgar-Jones reminded me so much of a young Carrie Mulligan in Never Let Me Go, whom I just adore. I can't wait to see what these two have ahead of them, they're both going to be massive stars.

I turned on the subtitles after the first three minutes. That decision turned out to be, as Connell would say, sound.

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I hadn't watched a single thing on Hulu before this year, but the last few months they've been killing it... this, Ramy, the High Fidelity series, Dave, and even Devs have all been good to great. Granted, a couple of those are part of the new FX deal, but still.

And yeah, multiple little "vignettes" is an apt description. The first go around, I found the initial jump, from high school to college, a bit jarring, as I had no idea the amount of time the show covered, but once I realized that's what the show is, I got in rhythm with it, and it was brilliant. It really is this kind of undefinable thing that feels not quite like a series, but not quite like a long film either.

That's funny that Daisy Edgar-Jones reminded you of Carrie Mulligan - I can totally see it - but I kept seeing a smaller, sadder Anne Hathaway. Either way, two great actresses to be compared to. I looked her up after the fact and she's not even Irish, she's British. Her accent work is incredible.

210 said:

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Thanks for the rec. I read the novel when it came out and didn't realize they made a show based on it. Will check it out tonight.

I enjoyed the book so hopefully I'll enjoy the show as well.

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Nice. I've heard multiple people say that it's one of the most faithful adaptations they've ever seen. Will be curious to hear if you think the same (I haven't read the book).

TCTTS said:

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210 said:

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Thanks for the rec. I read the novel when it came out and didn't realize they made a show based on it. Will check it out tonight.

I enjoyed the book so hopefully I'll enjoy the show as well.

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Nice. I've heard multiple people say that it's one of the most faithful adaptations they've ever seen. Will be curious to hear if you think the same (I haven't read the book).

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I watched the first 3 episodes and it definitely matches the tone so far.

It also reminded me that I let a friend borrow the book and he never returned it!

Great show by the way, really enjoying it. Interested to see where it goes.

Agreed. That whole dynamic is handled so well. Especially the back-to-back shots - on Connell seeing Marianne again for the first time at the party, and then the reverse shot/reveal of how much she's changed - is so good and such a "moment."

As for my rewatch, I'm taking my time - I finished episode eight again last night - but yeah, I keep thinking, "Am I crazy for already wanting to watch this whole thing again a third time?

Just finished round two, and this has officially gone from, "Wow, that was really good," to, "This is the best show I'll see all year" to, finally, just now, "I think this is one of the best things I've ever seen, period."

This is a random comparison to make (though, if anyone can relate, it's you), but this has taken the same trajectory for me as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. From damn-that-was-good to all-time status in as many viewings. And just the same, there are going to be a number of people who don't get the love, and that's fine. I totally understand. But man, for me, this show is now occupying rare air.

I also love that it came out of no where. Two weeks ago I wasn't even aware of its existence. Now, I can't stop thinking about (and watching) it.

Same as you, I need a little break, but round three may not be far behind.

Ha, this is getting eerie how in sync we are, and people are going to start making fun us, but tonight I literally thought, if a box set isn't released, do I just keep Hulu forever? Even though I was planning on cancelling it in June after season two of Ramy? I desperately need a 4K Blu-ray box set, because it would be way cheaper in the long run.

But yeah, that's very well put. For both projects, it's so much more than just the storytelling. It's the emotional aspect all the way.

Yes. One of my favorite podcasts...

https://instagr.am/p/CAGS1ZQgr9u

TCTTS said:

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box sex

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Okay, NOW I'm in!

But seriously, can't wait to watch this.

SO much box sex. Get ready. Boxes everywhere in this show, all of them practically begging the characters to have sex in them. And boy do they. It's crazy. Lots of bubble wrap action too...

Just finished the series. I am now depressed.

Jokes aside, it was fantastic and I've recommended it to a few friends.

I don't recall any differences from the book but truth be told I don't have a great memory of things I've read. However, for some reason I remembered her being in The Netherlands instead of Sweden but I am probably misremembering.

My google alert for Box Sex just went off and brought me here

Sex Panther said:

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My google alert for Box Sex just went off and brought me here

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Five episodes in. I'm done. Incredibly boring. Nothing at all interesting to me. Guess I'm too old.

Quote:

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First things first, this show isn't for everyone.

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Y'all got me intrigued. I'm going to check this out.